The Buck Stops Here

The Buck Stops Here
by Annie Tornabene




















If you have ever been in a recovery program, you've probably heard this statement before. You may have heard too that the sins of the father pass on to generation to generation. It used to sound like old cliches to me. Then one day, it dawned on me what it was talking about. One generation teaches the next generation and therefore everyone down the line passes on the same old hurts, the same old crutches, the same old excuses, you know what I mean.

Sure things have happened. Sure we've all made mistakes. But there comes a time when you have to say "The buck stops here ... with me." "I am responsible for my future and it is time to stop blaming my parents, my grandparents, my boss, my co-workers, my education, etc. etc. for my present circumstances." If I allow it, I will get caught up in the ebb and flow of every day life filled with negative thoughts.

No matter what distorted view you have of the past, the past is history. There are no do overs. History does not control my destiny. I have control of my thoughts, my actions, my life. If I allow myself to be pulled down, I will be caught in a tangled web of distorted history. It is time for me to press forward. The buck stops here and I am responsible for my life from this day forward. I move forward by allowing my thoughts to change for the good. I think. I am. I will be.

My thoughts will bring positive forces in my life. I look for positive solutions to the storms that I may face. I will not allow my mind to dwell on the storms along the strings of life but to reach for positive possibilities so that I may live my best life now.

My family and friends that I chose to be with from this day forward will be positive influences in my life and I will impact their lives positively and with a life of abundance. Today is a new day not encumbered with the past.


My life and mind will not rise and fall with my emotional tide. I will do whatever it takes to stay the course - to do all that I want to do. I will make a difference.

I will look forward to the storms on the strings of life as gifts, as they are opportunities to learn! The storms in my life I will use as stepping stones to my future. The Buck Stops Here! Together we can make a difference in learning the buck stops here.